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Happy New Year From Cooperative Extension
As we embark on 2021, Cumberland County Cooperative Extension wishes each of you joy and happiness throughout the year. We hope that you will reach out to our team if we can assist you at anytime. https://cumberland.ces.ncsu.edu/people/
Black-Eyed Peas & Collards
Since I can remember, my family has celebrated New Year’s Day with the southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collards. Sound familiar? It is said by eating these two foods, you are sure to experience prosperity and good luck all year long. While I cannot confirm the luck part, I can guarantee you that these two foods are packed full of health benefits to get your new year started on the right path. Collards are packed with vitamins and nutrients; they contain high amounts of vitamins A, C, K, and B-6, calcium, folate, iron, and magnesium. Black-eyed peas are a rich source of protein, fiber, thiamine, iron, zinc and the list keeps going on and on.
Our friends at Cornell University Cooperative Extension shared this tasty recipe that puts a new spin on collards and black-eyed peas. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
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Pruning Class Being Offered |
Your plants need a little TLC to keep them in tip-top shape for years to come. Yearly pruning helps decrease disease pressure and promotes plant growth. Join Cumberland County Cooperative Extension on Tuesday, January 26 as Jason Weathington, Extension agent, provides a virtual workshop on how to properly prune. You will build your pruning confidence as Jason walks you through the “What, When, Why and How” of pruning plants in your landscapes. The class is free, but registration is required. Register by contacting Susan Johnson at [email protected] or (910) 321-6405.
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Bluebirds & Bluebird Houses |
Being able to observe bluebirds in your backyard requires providing proper nesting boxes to attract them. Join Cooperative Extension's Kenny Bailey, Extension agent, on Thursday, January 28 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm during a virtual workshop, as he discusses bluebirds and demonstrates how to build a bluebird house. The class is free, but registration is required. Register by contacting Susan Johnson at [email protected] or (910) 321-6405.
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The Regional Chicken Project is an opportunity for youth involved in either 4-H or FFA to learn more about the livestock industry. Through this project youth can purchase and raise chicks while completing a Project Record Book to chronicle the chick's care and the youth's knowledge gained about chickens. In April, the youth will participate in the Southeastern Chicken Show (in person or virtual will be determined), where they will demonstrate to the judge their knowledge of the bird. Training for this will be provided through virtual workshops. At the end of the project, the youth will have the opportunity to donate their chickens, keep the hens for eggs for a potential egg business, sold for profit, or they can be used in future 4-H programs. The registration deadline is January 12, 2021.
For more information, please contact Liz Lahti at 910-321-6862 or l[email protected]. For more information on how to join the Cumberland County 4-H program, contact Jessica Drake, 4-H agent, at 910-321-6867 or via email at: j[email protected].
Photos taken prior to Covid restrictions of local youth that participated in the Cumberland County Fair Chicken Show.
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Chances are if you have visited the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension office, then you have probably met Susan Johnson. Susan is our office’s Administrative Coordinator and has been a fixture in our office for almost 24 years. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the Cooperative Extension staff. She approaches her job each day with professionalism and lots of enthusiasm! One of Susan’s favorite aspects of her job is providing our customers with the assistance they need to get their questions answered. If you ever have questions or need the assistance of Cooperative Extension, please don’t hesitate to contact Susan at s[email protected] or 910-321-6405.
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Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service |
Each year Cumberland County 4-H hosts the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service volunteer event. Due to COVID restrictions, we will be unable to hold our in person event for 2021. However, Jessica Drake, 4-H agent, has shared that there are still a variety of ways you can volunteer safely.
*Make masks
*Write letters to people in nursing homes
*Make paracord bracelets and cards for servicemen and women (instructions on *Operationgratitude.org)
*Clean up a neighbor's yard
*Read to a younger sibling
*Record stories of older family members
*Make cards and write letters to friends and family that aren't nearby
*Create pieces of art to share with neighbors and family members
*Knit or crochet caps for cancer patients (call and follow protocols for local centers concerning donations)
*Knit or crochet baby booties or blankets for local pregnancy centers (call and follow protocols for local centers concerning donations)
*Make no-sew blankets and scarves for the less fortunate and for local law enforcement to distribute
If you have any questions about how to participate in any of these activities, contact Jessica Drake at j[email protected] or 910-321-6867. By volunteering during this Day of Service and other times throughout the year, you will contribute to our community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King.
Photo was taken prior to COVID restrictions at a 4-H Day of Service event.
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Woodland Stewards Webinar Series |
Managing your land in an effective way can be a daunting task, especially for the new landowner. To address the issues facing landowners who want to manage their forests, North Carolina Cooperative Extension is offering a series of webinars about woodland management called the “Woodland Stewards Webinar Series.” A new webinar will take place every Tuesday during the month of February 2021, starting at 1:00 pm EST. This program is designed to help landowners make informed decisions concerning the management of their woodlands. Topics include forming management plans, useful woodland management apps, safety and getting started with your plans. The first webinar in the series starts at 1:00 pm on February 2nd and is titled “Woodland Management by Objectives: Taking Stock & Making Plans.”
For more information concerning the Zoom setup, visit the following link: http://www.forestrywebinars.net/faq/faq-home-page#zoom. These webinars will also be recorded and made available at the same links after their respective live broadcast. For more information, call Kenny Bailey at 910-321-6871 or email at [email protected].
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Cumberland County to Host Forage Management Series |
Please join Liz Lahti, Livestock agent with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension, for a virtual series on forage management for horse owners. Each session will be held virtually at 12:00 p.m. EST.
January 14: Soil fertility and pasture management to include taking and interpreting a soil sample, grazing management, and fertilization.
February 11: Weed control for grazing, to include weed identification for weeds common in our area and control options.
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Wheat Disease, Insect and Crop Management Webinar |
Do you want to be ready to manage your wheat this spring? Join us online for Part 3 of our “Wheat Production Series” on January 29, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. NC State Extension specialists will provide the latest crop production information for you on fertilization, insect and disease management. Bring your questions for the discussion time. CCA and pesticide credits will be available.
Please register at the link below or by calling the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County office at (910) 321-6860.
Read more at: https://smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/11/webinar-wheat-disease-insect-and-crop-management-updates/
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